Active Kids Do Better

Posted by Drew Brees, Co-Chair of the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition and NFL Quarterback on June 10, 2014

Ed Note: This blog is cross-posted from fitness.gov. You can find the original post here.

As we approach end of the school year for students across America, the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition is raising awareness about the importance of physical activity and good nutrition for all kids before, during and after the school day. We know that ACTIVE KIDS DO BETTER! They perform better academically and tend to make better health choices into adulthood.

My family means the world to me, and as a father I want my sons to grow up healthy and strong. The best way for me to show them how important it is to lead an active, healthy lifestyle is to model that behavior—not only during football season and in training camp but all year long. Check out our Physical Activity Outreach Initiative public service announcements (videos, audio and posters) and share these resources with your networks and schools within your community.

Today in America, nearly one in three children is overweight and one in six is considered obese. These startling statistics are why childhood obesity is making a lot of headlines these days. Childhood obesity is one of the top health concerns for parents in the United States – tied with drug abuse and ahead of other issues like smoking and violence. I understand why…the statistics are alarming for unhealthy kids. Being overweight or obese may not only have a serious effect on physical health, but it could also negatively impact school performance and attendance and increase health care costs for families.

Four years ago, First Lady Michelle Obama launched Let’s Move! to solve the problem of childhood obesity within a generation. Like all parents, I want my kids to avoid the health problems caused by childhood obesity. To make this goal a reality, we all need to do our part. Let’s Move! Active Schools empowers champions like you – parents, school officials, and community leaders – to help create active school environments for all students across America.

Join our team and help us ensure that all kids across America achieve 60 minutes or more of physical activity per day where they live, learn and play. You can download an infographic by the Department of Health and Human Services from the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans Midcourse Report and post it at home, at work and share it with your family physician and local school administrators.